Cavs, Thompson remain millions apart

Thompson entered the offseason as one of the NBA’s best young free agents, particularly after an impressive Finals performance in which he showed off his elite rebounding prowess, defensive versatility, and capability around the basket on offense. With another solid year, Thompson will likely garner a max deal on the open market next summer, which all but guarantees he is on his way out of Cleveland. Two other Paul clients – Pelicans guard Norris Cole, who signed his last week, and Knicks center Kevin Seraphin – have signed qualifying offers in the past.

If no deal is reached by the end of the week, Thompson may sign the Cavs’ one-year qualifying offer of $6.9 million to become an unrestricted free agent next year.

According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, negotiations haven’t progressed any further, as neither side has budged in the months since free agency began. Power forward Tristan Thompson has still not agreed to either accept the one year tender offer that was placed on him by the Cavaliers before the start of free agent in July or a five year contract worth $80 million that has been on the table since the start of free agency.

There are risks and benefits for both sides.

When Eric Bledsoe was a restricted free agent last summer, James urged the Phoenix Suns to make a deal via social media.

There is still one member of the last year’s Eastern Conference Championship squad that is still unsigned and at this pace may become a training camp holdout.

The Cavaliers’ offer of $80 million is close to the deals big men Draymond Green and Jonas Valanciunas signed this summer with the Warriors and Raptors, respectively.